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Lyrics: Songs That Inspire & Fuel Creativity

Lyrics: Songs That Inspire & Fuel Creativity

Music has been a central part of everything in my life. This is something I have mentioned many times on this blog and my podcast. I could probably have a thousand lists of songs that I could share. But I wanted to bring in writing and the creativity that music can give each of us. Writing is a journey with everything. Not only the story but from the moment the idea sparks in your mind to the last period you put on the paper or on the screen. I don’t know about you, but when I write, I write with music. It is a constant. Have you ever stopped to listen to the lyrics? Most of the music I listen to is powered by the sheer inspiration of the lyrics. In my humble opinion, the best songwriter out there is Paul Simon. A close second is Martin Gore of Depeche Mode. You may have other opinions, which is fine. For this post let me take you on a lyrical journey of some ridiculously well-written and beautiful songs that can spark your creativity and inspire.

If you have ever visited my top five lists, you know that Simon and Garfunkel are on there. One of the songs I mention is Patterns. The best way I can describe this song is that when you are contemplating life and thinking about what it all means, this song just goes along with those specific thoughts. My favorite lines of the song are as follows:

“Impaled on my wall
My eyes can dimly see
The pattern of my life
And the puzzle that is me
From the moment of my birth
To the instant of my death
There are patterns I must follow
Just as I must breathe each breath”

– “Patterns” Simon and Garfunkel

Whether you query life and get a little introspective with the world around you, there is no denying that is some good writing right there. This can serve as inspiration for a character. One that may have issues figuring out where their life is going and what they should be doing. There is a lot we can take away from this song.

Another song that I am sure I have talked about many times, is Ordinary World by Duran Duran. I played this song to death on the bus to and from school. It was the soundtrack of how I got through 7th and 8th grade. I don’t count Duran Duran as excellent songwriters. Many of their songs make no sense, while they are catchy there isn’t any substance to the words. At least for me. But their Wedding Album and a few songs beyond that era, have produced well-written material. Perhaps through maturity? I am not sure, but Ordinary World is really on another level altogether.

“But I won’t cry for yesterday
There’s an ordinary world
Somehow I have to find
And as I try to make my way
To the ordinary world
I will learn to survive”

-“Ordinary World” Duran Duran

Writing about life and survival? This is your song. When a character has met some horrible troubles through their life, this is their song. Finding that even though things are bad, there are ways to keep going and survive.

This next song is probably my all-time favorite by Depeche Mode. However, I can find others that I love almost as much. This was another one I used to help me get through school and beyond. When we are searching for a character to write about, we want a dynamic and three-dimensional one that comes off the page. Using these songs can give key features of their personality. What do they think about life? How did they get through the day?

“Step out of your cage
And onto the stage
It’s time to start
Playing your part
Freedom awaits
Open the gates
Open your mind
Freedom’s a state”

-“Freestate” Depeche Mode

This is something I must remind myself of every day. I need to step out and be myself and not hide behind something. I am the main character of my life and I need to step onto that stage. How perfect are these lyrics? These lyrics could also be with bringing out that story that is within you. You need to get those words on the paper and tell that story.

As I searched for more music and something different to listen to, I stumbled upon Delerium. They normally pair a beautiful female voice with a haunting melody. Their one album called “Poem” is a great representation of some beautiful songs matched with equally beautiful lyrics. The one that I picked to add to this post is “A Poem for Byzantium”.

“Here and now
I feel that I’m embracing freedom
Even though I may be alone, but that’s okay
Looking out to a different sky will disengage me
Absence is never the answer, I know
But it serves as my shade”

-“A Poem For Byzantium” Delerium

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